Method for selectively positioning proppants in high contrast permeability formations to enhance hydrocarbon recovery
US6860328B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K8/685
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for enhancing the production of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. A hydrocarbon bearing formation, surrounding a well bore, is fractured with a fracturing fluid to create one or more fractures in the formation. The formation includes a higher permeability zone and a lower permeability zone with the fractures extending across both the higher and lower permeability zones. The lower permeability zone may contain a substantially higher concentration of hydrocarbons, oil and gas, than does the higher permeability zone which may generally be depleted of hydrocarbons. Proppant is then selectively positioned, such as by allowing the proppant to “float” in a carrier fluid to the top of the fracture, with a majority of the proppant being positioned in the lower permeability zone. The fracture is allowed to close about the proppant to create at least one high conductivity channel in the lower permeability zone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.